Policies
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Parties and Common Space
The Common Space areas of the House are for all residents of the House to enjoy. Therefore, you cannot throw a "private" party in a common space, such as the JCR or G Spot. Special use of these or other common spaces, such as the main dining room, may be discussed with the Master of the House.
Party Policy
Students should act responsibly when hosting social gatherings. The most severe punishments for violations of the policy (e.g.: suspension or expulsion from the College) arise from serving alcohol to minors, and therefore generally are imposed on hosts of parties.
Party Forms
Students need to fill out a party form for situations meeting the criteria below:
• if you plan to have 15 people or more
• If you plan to serve alcohol and have more than 10 guests
• if you plan to have a keg
Party forms are available at the House Office, F-5. They are also available in PDF form on the Leverett Wiki (see above). Party forms must be signed by the entryway tutor - only the tutor for that entryway may sign the form; another tutor, even a neighboring tutor, cannot sign. Party Forms should be submitted by the students/hosts holding the party to the House Office by Thursday at 3 pm. (This is the deadline for parties on Friday and Saturday).
If you plan to hold a party:
- determine if you need a party form and pick it up from the House Office
- talk to your roommates and get their consent
- talk to your entryway tutor as soon as possible
- if you plan to serve alcohol, review the University and House Policy
- get tutor’s signature on the form and turn it into House Office IN PERSON by 3 PM the Thursday before the party.
- remember that parties should respect the House policy regarding quiet hours, which start at 11 pm on weekdays, and at 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Always call tutors if party gets out of hand—whether or not you serve alcohol. We're here to help.
Black-out Dates: Parties are forbidden during Exam periods and on certain weekends (such as Head of the Charles Weekend and MCATS, GRES, LSAT weekends). There are NO parties during move-in week, reading period or finals.
Alcohol Policy
Harvard College Alcohol Policy
Leverett House follows the policy of Harvard University in complying with College and Massachusetts State rules on alcohol use. The state law holds illegal not only the purveyance to or false purchase of alcohol by people under 21, but even the possession and consumption of alcohol by such people--even in a private room on a college campus.
Underage students who drink run the risk of receiving a House Warning, which means receiving an official letter from the Resident Dean about the incident. This warning puts them in jeopardy of being asked to leave the House or of disciplinary action by the Administrative Board, or both--if the student repeats the offense or compounds it by continuing to be in possession of the alcohol.
Parties with Alcohol
The Massachusetts law on alcohol applies both to underage drinking and to possession of alcohol. By law, the College is required to prohibit any provision of liquor to individuals under 21 in private as well as public settings. Individuals are liable to legal, and hence college disciplinary action if they give or sell alcohol to underage persons. Hosts of parties are also expected to take reasonable measures to prevent underage students from obtaining alcohol at their parties. If they are planning to have alcohol, they should also ensure that non-alcoholic drinks and food are available as well. Any delivery of alcohol to the House must be registered with the House to ensure that it was made to person of legal age who takes responsibility for its proper and legal use.
Students who are hosting a party with alcohol, who know that there will be underage drinkers present, are advised to do the following:
- Realize that they, as hosts, are responsible if any underage drinker consumes alcohol at their party (a violation of Massachusetts law as well as College rules)
- Underage students cannot request that 21+ students bring alcohol to their party for the underage students' party.
- Check ID at door if serving alcohol.
- Do not allow guests to walk out of room/suite with alcohol in hand.
- Remember that those hosting the party are ultimately responsible for the actions of their guests.
- Check out this useful resource “Managing Events with Alcohol”
Harvard’s Amnesty Policy
Students may bring an intoxicated or drug-impaired friend to University Health Services or to a hospital, or seek assistance from College residential life staff or HUPD, and by doing this, neither they nor the friend will face disciplinary action from the College for having used or provided alcohol or drugs. (From page 420 of the Handbook for Students).
Noise
The general noise policy is the same as the noise policy for a party. Quiet time is after eleven on Sunday through Thursday nights and two a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. But at all times, you are responsible for ensuring that noise in your room does not disturb your neighbors. If you are being responsible, you should not get complaints. But if you do get a noise complaint, you must treat the complainer with respect, respond immediately and see that the offending behavior does not recur.